CHINA SHIPPING AND CMA CGM COOPERATE IN ASIA-EUROPE TRADE

CHINA SHIPPING AND CMA CGM COOPERATE IN ASIA-EUROPE TRADE    Shanghai-based China Shipping Group and French carrier CMA CGM are starting to exchange slots on their Asia/Europe and Asia/Mediterranean container services.
   CMA CGM described the slot exchange concerning its three Asia/Europe weekly services and China Shipping Group’s two Asia/Europe weekly services as the first stage of a long-term cooperation agreement. The slot exchange commences in March.
   Under the deal, CMA CGM will have space on the Chinese carrier’s Asia/northern Europe “loop 1” service and on its Asia-Mediterranean “loop 2” operation.
   In return, China Shipping Group will take space on three CMA CGM services: its “NCJ” and “FAL” loops between Asia and northern Europe and the “MEX” service between Asia and the Mediterranean.
   The Japan Express Asia/northern Europe service operated by CMA CGM under a slot purchase agreement with “K” Line is not included in the space exchange agreement with China Shipping Group.
   The pact between the French and Chinese carriers will enable CMA CGM to offer six weekly services connecting Asia and Europe, compared to the previous four. China Shipping Group’s services in the Asia/Europe trade will be boosted to five a week instead of the previous two.
   CMA CGM said that the scope of its cooperation with China Shipping Group will be widened beyong the space exchange agreement.
   Updated details on the transit times and ports of call of the two carriers’ shared services are posted on the free global sailing schedules site www.compairschedules.com.